WET News

JUNE 2015 WET NEWS 21 A solution: Select from the array of technologies Why manufacturers are looking to more advanced and innovative solutions to meet their water treatment obligations. T here are a wide variety of technologies available for wastewater treatment in re-use applications. From conventional treatment processes, which can remove solids, and adjust pH and chlo- rine levels, through to advanced processes that filter and oxidise water resulting in a higher qual- ity product. A conventional treatment process removes solid waste found in water. This provides minimal disinfection and includes the use of screens, dissolved air flotation and primary clarifiers, filters, chlorination and pH adjustment, reducing solids and Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD). Trace contaminants When a conventional treatment process is not adequate for meeting the required treatment standards, advanced treatment technologies can be imple- mented. These technologies go further to remove contaminants than conventional treatment processes and are implemented for specific needs. These include the removal of trace contaminants and patho- gens via oxidation and disinfec- tion through to the removal of dissolved organics and contami- nants via an adsorption process. In addition to the biological and disinfection techniques, there are other advanced treatment technologies such as membrane filtration and reverse osmosis that can be used either separately or in conjunction with one another to fulfil wastewater discharge requirements. What is important to remember is that treating water is only the first step to ensuring wastewater is recycled and reused efficiently and effectively within a plant. It is important for organisations to also consider the transportation and storage of water re-use. Energy savings The treatment and transportation of water or wastewater within a system will require the biggest source of energy. Therefore it is vitally impor- tant that the system is not only correctly sized, but the right equipment selected in the first instance, to ensure specific re- use requirements are met as well as maximising energy sav- ings over the life of the equipment. Pumps serve two purposes in a re-use system: transporting and pressure boosting. Water needs to be moved from one location to another for treatment, storage purposes, or for use. Pressure boosting is required for some treatment technologies, including reverse osmosis, where specific pressures are required to move water through a membrane. Many reuse applications, such as equipment washing, also require boosting capabilities. Key areas To implement an effective water re-use system, it is important to address three key areas: • Define objectives: When deciding what type of water reuse system is needed in a facility, a plant must define its objectives both from sustainability and cost perspectives and in-line with water treatment obligations • Select applications: Plant owners and/or operators should define the applications for which the water will be used. It is advised to start with high- volume re-use applications that have lower water quality requirements, therefore requiring less treatment. By following this approach, the facility will achieve the greatest return on investment, as higher levels of treatment drive costs up • Determine treatment levels: Finally, determine the treatment levels required for the selected applications by measuring current wastewater quality to establish a baseline, and then compare that to the quality level required for the selected applications. This gap in water quality will determine the treatment intensity With the need to conserve water and reduce usage continually increasing, water re-use enables food and beverage manufacturers to not only meet the strictest treatment obligations, but can also lead to significant cost reductions and a meaningful opportunity of a more sustainable future. A regime of treatment and re-use could save industry thousands of pounds every year in Mogden Charges and, combined with existing incentive schemes, can make the necessary capital investment an attractive proposition. n Paul Winnett is general manager - Speciality Industries at Xylem continuous battery powered network monitoring for residual chlorine t. 0800 8046 062 www.atiuk.com Diehl Metering offers systems with high-quality metering, low starting flows and a large dynamic range. With ALTAIR V4 or HYDRUS, the technology IZAR R4 offers efficient and scalable radio reading systems (fixed, mobile and M-Bus networks) and switching from mobile reading to fixed network is seamless. www.diehl.com/metering Diehl Metering Ltd. | 22C Salmon Fields Business Village, Royton Oldham OL2 6HT Tel. +44 (0) 161 6209593 | Email: sales.uk@diehl.com ALTAIR and HYDRUS Smart solutions for water metering Organised by The 4th annual Integrated Water Resources Management Conference o ers the UK water sector a timely opportunity to consider the next steps in implementing the Water Framework Directive, bringing together the key stakeholders in sustainable water resource management. Join over 100 representatives at this CPD-Certifi ed conference, part of Sustainble Water 2015, to discover: • The latest on strategic implementation of the Water Framework Directive • Examples of 'upstream thinking' and the e ects on water-related ecosystems • How to align company business plans with river basin management plans • Integrated catchment management case studies from diverse stakeholder groups • Industry-leading examples of managing pesticides and di use pollution • Expertise on managing both fl ood and drought resilience • How to apply an Ecosystems Services Approach to catchment management • An evidence-based approach for informing future investment Supported by Prof. Doug Wilson Director of Scientifi c and Evidence Services Environment Agency Chairman UKTAG Yvette de Garis Head of Environmental Regulation Thames Water Jacob Tompkins MD Waterwise Chairman Water Resilience Working Group (Ofwat) Ruth Barden Head of Environment and Catchment Strategy Wessex Water Arlin Rickard CEO The Rivers Trust Chairman CaBA Support Group Andrew Walker Catchment Strategy Manager Yorkshire Water Follow us @WWTlive using #suswater Book online at www.WWT-environment.net SusWater-IWRM-HPH.indd 1 16/04/2015 13:58

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